Conditions
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain, arising from nerve damage or dysfunction, presents as persistent, often debilitating sensations. In this guide we go through all of your options for managing neuropathic pain.
Conditions
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain, arising from nerve damage or dysfunction, presents as persistent, often debilitating sensations. In this guide we go through all of your options for managing neuropathic pain.
What is neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain, a complex and chronic pain condition, arises when the nervous system malfunctions or sustains damage. This pain can originate from various levels of the nervous system, including peripheral nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain. The central nervous system, encompassing the spinal cord and brain, and the peripheral nerves, which extend to organs and extremities, play crucial roles in this condition. Damaged nerve fibres can misfire, sending incorrect pain signals to the body’s pain centres, leading to sensations of pain, tingling, or numbness. This phenomenon, known as central sensitisation, reflects changes in nerve function both at the damage site and within the central nervous system.
Neuropathy, characterised by disturbances or changes in nerve function, can result from numerous causes, with diabetes accounting for about 30% of cases. Other potential causes include shingles, HIV/AIDS, and alcohol use disorder, among many others.
In the UK, the management of neuropathic pain has expanded to include neuropathic pain medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK. Patients seeking alternative treatments for their neuropathic pain can explore options at Zerenia Clinic, a neuropathic pain medical cannabis treatment clinic in the UK, which offers tailored approaches to pain relief. Zerenia Clinic is renowned for its comprehensive care, ensuring patients receive effective neuropathic pain medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK.
What causes neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain can result from various conditions and factors, including:
Medical Conditions:
- Diabetes: The leading cause of neuropathic pain.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- HIV/AIDS.
- Central nervous system disorders (CNS): Such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Facial nerve conditions.
- Complex regional pain syndrome.
- Shingles.
- Trauma and Surgery:
- Amputation: Leading to phantom limb pain.
- Spinal nerve compression or inflammation.
- Traumatic injuries: From car accidents or sports.
- Surgical procedures: Resulting in nerve damage.
Treatment-Related Causes:
- Chemotherapy drugs: Including cisplatin, paclitaxel, and vincristine.
- Radiation therapy.
- Other Factors:
- Tumours: These compress nerves.
- Neuralgia: Misfiring of nerves causing pain without apparent injury.
- Radiculopathy: Pinched nerves in the spinal column, commonly due to conditions like sciatica.
Neuropathic pain can result from various conditions and factors, including:
Medical Conditions:
- Diabetes: The leading cause of neuropathic pain.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- HIV/AIDS.
- Central nervous system disorders (CNS): Such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Facial nerve conditions.
- Complex regional pain syndrome.
- Shingles.
- Trauma and Surgery:
- Amputation: Leading to phantom limb pain.
- Spinal nerve compression or inflammation.
- Traumatic injuries: From car accidents or sports.
- Surgical procedures: Resulting in nerve damage.
Treatment-Related Causes:
- Chemotherapy drugs: Including cisplatin, paclitaxel, and vincristine.
- Radiation therapy.
- Other Factors:
- Tumours: These compress nerves.
- Neuralgia: Misfiring of nerves causing pain without apparent injury.
- Radiculopathy: Pinched nerves in the spinal column, commonly due to conditions like sciatica.
What does neuropathic pain feel like?
- Spontaneous Pain: Pain that occurs without an apparent trigger, often described as burning, stabbing, electric shock-like sensations, tingling, numbness, or a “pins and needles” feeling.
- Allodynia: Extreme sensitivity where normally painless stimuli, such as cold, pressure, or light touch, cause pain.
- Hyperalgesia: Increased pain response to stimuli that are typically painful, such as heat or pinpricks, resulting in more intense pain than expected.
- Hypoalgesia: Reduced pain response to typically painful stimuli, where, for example, a pinprick causes less pain than it normally would.
- Dysesthesia: Unpleasant or painful abnormal sensations.
- Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping, often accompanied by emotional stress due to ongoing pain and disturbed sleep.
In the UK, there is growing interest in the use of medical cannabis as a treatment option for neuropathic pain. Patients seeking alternative therapies can obtain a neuropathic pain medical cannabis prescription in the UK through specialised clinics, such as Zerenia Clinic, providing a tailored approach to managing this complex condition. At Zerenia Clinic, patients can benefit from the expertise of a leading neuropathic pain medical cannabis treatment clinic in the UK.
How can you treat neuropathic pain?
The underlying cause of neuropathic pain guides the recommended treatment. Treatment for neuropathic pain is often multifaceted and can involve lifestyle changes, medications, and physical or psychological therapy. In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary, such as to relieve pressure from a herniated spinal disc.
Although there isn’t a specific medication exclusively for neuropathic pain, various treatments can help manage symptoms:
- Antidepressants and antiseizure drugs: These medications can help alleviate neuropathic pain by interfering with pain signals or addressing underlying anxiety and depression.
- Strong pain medications: Opioids or other strong painkillers may be prescribed for severe cases.
- Topical treatments: Creams, ointments, or patches containing capsaicin or lidocaine can be applied directly to the affected areas for localised pain relief.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen can help manage mild pain.
- Nerve blocks: Injections near affected nerves can provide temporary pain relief.
- Physical therapy: Exercises and massage can relieve soreness and stiffness, promoting the production of natural pain-relieving chemicals.
- Surgery: Surgical interventions might involve releasing, repairing, or removing certain nerves to alleviate pain.
- Psychological counselling: Therapy can help cope with the emotional aspects of living with chronic pain.
In the UK, patients with neuropathic pain have the option of obtaining a neuropathic pain medical cannabis prescription in the UK. Specialised clinics like Zerenia Clinic offer medical cannabis treatment plans tailored to individual needs, providing an alternative or adjunct to traditional pain management methods.
Neuropathic Pain and Medicinal Cannabis
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018. This legal framework permits the use of medical cannabis for treating neuropathic pain, particularly when conventional treatments have proven ineffective.
Medical cannabis operates by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions, including pain sensation. Through its action on the ECS, medical cannabis can offer relief from neuropathic pain and improve overall quality of life. For further insights and to learn more about medical cannabis, explore our scientific research:
Book your free call back with our Patient Care Coordinators to discuss your treatment journey and any questions you may have about your neuropathic pain medical cannabis prescription in the UK. At Zerenia Clinic, we are committed to providing the best care as a premier neuropathic pain medical cannabis treatment clinic in the UK.
Alternatively, check your eligibility online for neuropathic pain medical cannabis prescription in the UK in three quick steps using our Medical Cannabis Eligibility Checker today and one of our dedicated patient care coordinators will get in touch with you to get you started.